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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386458
Research Project: Sustaining Agroecosystems and Water Resources in the Northeastern U.S.

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Optimal nitrogen fertilizer application rates for second-generation cranberry hybrids

Author
item JERANYAMA, PETER - University Of Massachusetts
item MUPAMBI, GIVERSON - University Of Massachusetts
item Kennedy, Casey

Submitted to: International Vaccinium Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/2022
Publication Date: 3/21/2023
Citation: Jeranyama, P., Mupambi, G., Kennedy, C.D. 2023. Optimal nitrogen fertilizer application rates for second-generation cranberry hybrids. International Vaccinium Symposium. p. 1-4.

Interpretive Summary: Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is arguably the most important management practice in the production of cranberries. However, very little is known about N requirements for new hybrid cranberries, which represent a more profitable and growing category of farms in Massachusetts. A team of ARS and University of Massachusetts scientists report that N requirements for new hybrid cultivars are nearly twice the recommended N fertilizer application rates for native varieties.

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is the most important element in cranberry (Vaccinium marcrocarpon Ait.) production due to its impact on both vegetative growth and fruiting. However, N is also deficient in acidic peatland soils, which require N fertilizer additions for commercial production of cranberry. Nitrogen fertilizer rates have been previously determined for native cultivars and and for the first-generation hybrids, but field data to support N fertilizer recommendations for second-generation hybrids are lacking. To fill this gap, we conducted a replicated field experiment to develop N rate response curves for native and hybrid cultivars to evaluate the effect of N fertilization on crop yield. We tested the most common types of native (‘Howes’), first-generation hybrid (‘Stevens’), and second-generation hybrid (‘Crimson Queen’, ‘Demoranville’ and ‘Mullica Queen’) cultivars planted in Massachusetts cranberry bogs. Our results showed that fruit yield was highest at the N fertilizer application rate of 112 kg N ha-1 for second-generation hybrids, 84 Kg N ha-1 for first-generation hybrids, and 56 kg N ha-1 for native cultivars. Vegetative biomass increased linearly with N rate regardless of cultivar group. Nitrogen fertilizer rates greater than 112 kg N ha-1 resulted in overly vigorous vegetative growth that diminished fruit production. Fruit rot generally increased with N fertilizer application rate, with up to 40% fruit rot observed in ‘Crimson Queen’ at the highest N fertilizer rate of 224 Kg N ha-1. The results indicate that for optimal fruit yield, N requirements for second-generation hybrids are ~33% higher than those for first-generation hybrids.